Wave pool reef design

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a wave pool for creating multiple surf-able waves when a wave generating device forces water into a first end of the wave pool. The wave pool includes a first deep area adjacent the end of the wave pool having the wave generating device. It is followed by a first artificial reef that creates a first shallow area that causes a swell created by the wave generating device to become a first surf-able wave. This is followed by a second deep area that causes the first surf-able wave to revert to a swell. A second artificial reef creates a second shallow area causing the swell to become a second surf-able wave. A basin and swash area follows the second artificial reef for dissipating the remaining energy of the second surf-able wave. An optional set of edge shallows can extend substantially the length of the wave pool to create a surf-able curling wave along each side of the wave pool.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/836,182 filed Aug. 08, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Historically, wave pools have been unable to produce waves that werelarge enough for surfing. However, inventions such as pressurizedcaissons or the pneumatic wave cannon have greatly increased the size ofgenerated waves. A “wave cannon” is a wave generating device such asthat disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,393 to Carnahan et al. In short,the wave cannon transfers energy from the escape of compressed air intoa large water filled tube, expelling the water from the tube into a bodyof water and creating swells or waves. The wave cannon is notable forits ability to transfer a large amount of energy to the body of water.

As may be expected, wave pools are more difficult to safeguard thanswimming pools. Conventional wave pools have typically been sized andconfigured so that when used for surfing, only a single surfer couldsafely ride a wave. Some wave pools have the capability to produce wavesthat break from the right hand side of the wave or the left hand side ofthe wave. Center breaking waves, which are more complicated anddifficult to produce, are sometimes referred to as “point” or “A-Frame”waves. When someone surfs in a conventional wavepool, other surfers mustwait in a clear, safe venue until their turn. Then the next surfer maypaddle into position in order to surf the next wave. An incoming wavecould easily lead to collisions between surfers or between surfers andthe sides of the pool. The variety of water currents or undertows coulddisorient or tire those in the water. Because of the risk of injury,surfers in conventional wave pools have been limited in the numberpermitted to surf at any one time.

Wave pool construction and operation can also be costly. Water parks canrequire a minimum of 10-30 acres, extensive infrastructure, staffing,and considerable energy consumption for the generation of waves. Wavepools that are capable of producing large, surfing waves can be evenmore expensive. The expense of generating surfing waves may becalculated on a cost per wave basis. Some facilities charge surfersbased on their expected revenue per wave.

What is needed is a wave pool design capable of increasing the number ofsurfers who may safely ride a generated wave, thereby improving therevenue per wave.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment there is disclosed is a wave pool for creatingmultiple surf-able waves when a wave generating device forces water intoa first end of the wave pool. The wave pool includes a first deep areaadjacent the end of the wave pool having the wave generating device. Itis followed by a first artificial reef that creates a first shallow areathat causes a swell created by the wave generating device to become afirst surf-able wave. This is followed by a second deep area that causesthe first surf-able wave to revert to a swell. A second artificial reefcreates a second shallow area causing the swell to become a secondsurf-able wave. A basin and swash area follows the second artificialreef for dissipating the remaining energy of the second surf-able wave.

Another embodiment discloses a deep center channel that extends thelength of the wave pool to the swash area in which no surf-able wavesare formed. The deep center channel acts as a buffer zone that separatesthe first artificial reef from the second artificial reef and the thirdartificial reef from the fourth artificial reef thereby allowingseparate wave segments to be surfed by a plurality of surfers.

An optional set of edge shallows can extend substantially the length ofthe wave pool to create a surf-able curling wave along each side of thewave pool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view prior art illustration of a typical wave pool.

FIG. 1B is a side view prior art illustration of the typical wave poolshown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustration of one embodiment of a wave poolaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional illustration as viewed at the Z line andalong the X line of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view embodiment of another embodiment of a wave poolaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view embodiment of still another embodiment of a wavepool according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the term surfing is defined to include bodysurfing,board surfing, sail boarding, and any other recreational activity thatrequires waves. Thus, the present invention is useful for a variety ofsurf related activities, and the terms “surf” or “surfer” should beconstrued as meaning any surf related activity and its participants.

The bottom topography of a body of water is one of the factors in how awave breaks. Most wave pools include some form of incline and asimulated beach opposite the wave generator. Natural beaches haveinclines that range from steep (reflective of waves) to gradual(dissipative of wave energy). Wave pool beach inclines support or fosterthe creation of surf and then provide a dissipative end or swash zonefor the beach. That is, these pools often have a bottom incline thatculminates in a gradually inclined beach area. Prior to the swash zone,the incline is typically steeper to support the conversion of swellsinto the peaked waves of surf. As a swell progresses into increasinglyshallow conditions, the swell grows vertically relative to the waterlevel, creating surf. Friction with the bottom slows the deeper portionof the wave until the peaked wave begins to curl. As the wave passesover the continuing incline, eventually the surf curls and breaks,washing up the incline of the beach and dissipating energy.

FIG. 1A is a top view prior art illustration of a typical wave pool 1with isobaths denoting depth or elevation from the floor of the pool. Awave generator 5, which in this example is shown as a cluster of wavecannons, discharges into water course 3 generating swells and waves.Opposite wave generator 5 is a slope at beach area 7 for the finalbreaking of waves. Typically, an optional apron 200 surrounds wave pool1.

FIG. 1B is a side view prior art illustration of the typical wave pool 1shown in FIG. 1A. This view shows water being discharged from wavegenerator 5 into water course 3. As the water moves toward the oppositeend it encounters the steeper incline 6 causing the swell to crestcreating surf as it washes over the shallower less inclined area 7 intoa swash zone before finally dissipating completely.

In the ocean, reef breaking surf is made up of waves that break over asolid base, such as a rock or coral reef. Natural reefs typically lackthe terminating incline of a beach, as well as the moveable constituencyof sand or pebbles that further dissipates energy. Many natural reefsare steeper than beaches, rapidly creating steep, challenging waves, aneffect referred to as “jacking.” Thus, reefs can produce desirable, highenergy waves for surfers.

Artificial reefs for generating waves have been known in the field. Oneexample of an artificial reef is disclosed in Pub. No. US 2003/0077122to Carnahan, et al. However, artificial reefs have not heretofore beendeveloped that permit the waves to form and break in a manner thatpermits multiple surfers to safely ride a single wave.

Embodiments of the present invention describe systems and configurationsof artificial reefs that enable multiple surfers to ride multiple wavesegments within a wave pool. A plurality of elevations that comprise anartificial reef system can produce a series of surf-able wave segments.Depressed or deeper areas running substantially along or in thedirection of the path of the wave are disposed between the elevations,and may be used to bound or separate areas of surfing. The deeper areaspermit swells to pass between elevations without producing surf-ablewaves. Thus, individual surfers may ride wave segments generated byelevated areas while being separated from other wave segments and othersurfers.

FIG. 2 is a top view illustration of one embodiment of a wave poolaccording to the present invention with isobaths denoting depth orelevation. Wave pool 1 is shown with water course 3 in which wavestravel after being generated by wave generator 5. Opposite wavegenerator 5 is beach area 7. Alternatively, wave pool 1 may include amore gradual or dissipative increase in elevation so that the depthbecomes increasingly shallow over the run of a wave, depending on thetype of wave desired and the energy required.

The present invention may also be used with one or more wave diversionchannels, lazy rivers, or action rivers for redirection of wave energy,as desired. Further, the present invention is also applicable for poolsof a wide variety of geometric shapes, so long as the system ofartificial reefs is configured in a manner to complement the geometry ofwater course 3.

For the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a system having artificial reefs 61and 62 are disposed within water course 3. In this embodiment,artificial reef 61 comprises a peaked inverted V shaped primary shallow,which works in conjunction with deep side channels 41, 42 and edgeshallows 51, 52. The primary shallow or elevation of artificial reef 61may take a variety of shapes to produce a desired wave form and is notintended to be limited to just that shown in FIG. 2.

In order of progression along line X, a burst of water emanating fromwave generator 5 encounters first deep area 3A, artificial reef 61,second deep area 3B, artificial reef 62, basin 3C, and then beach area7. In deep areas, the water is in the form of a swell. In shallow areas,the water becomes a wave and builds to form a surf-able crest or peakwhile wave energy is expended by movement and friction. In contrast tothe path along line X, in the path along line Y less wave energy isexpended as the non-surf-able swell moves along deep side channels 42and 44 until reaching beach area 7. Of course, such embodiments mayinclude a single artificial reef or more than two artificial reef, asmay be desired for the application.

Edge shallows 51 and 52 create a curling wave on the sides of watercourse 3. This wave may run for the full length of pool 1 until reachingbeach area 7 or, as shown in this example, optional deep areas 3B1 and3B2 may create an interruption where the wave reverts to a swell. Theunimpeded swell in deep side channels 41-44 proceeds in advance of thewaves created by edge shallows 51 and 52.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 may be used with up to eight surfers, dependingon the size of wave pool 1 and the desired configuration. For purposesof illustration, a surfer may be located at each of starting spots Athrough H. Surfers located at spots A, B, C, and D are preferablysurfers of greater skill or ability because the wave will be at a highlevel of energy when it strikes the shallow area of artificial reef 61.Preferably, artificial reef 61 will be configured for jacking a swellquickly into the form of a surf-able wave. When the wave passesartificial reef 61, the wave will then encounter deep area 3B, and willreturn to the form of a swell. Preferably, artificial reef 61 and deeparea 3B are long enough such that surfers located at sports A, B, C, andD will slow after having ridden their first wave. After the swell passesthrough deep area 3B it encounters artificial reef 62. Surfers locatedat spots E, F, G, and H may then ride the wave.

Note that edge shallows 51 and 52 may include breaks at deep area 3B,which are denoted by 3B1 and 3B2. Alternatively, edge shallows 51 and 52may continue for the length of the pool, such that surfers located atspots A and D might continue surfing the whole length of wave pool 1. Asnoted above, the swell in deep side channels 41-44 will precede the wavecreated by edge shallows 51 and 52. Thus, surfers beginning at spots Aor D riding a wave in the traditional backhand approach (i.e., back tothe wave) would have their surfboards pointed inwardly, towards the deepside channels.

FIG. 3 is an un-scaled cross-sectional illustration as viewed at line Zand along line X of FIG. 2. The displayed depths are merely illustrativeof one possible profile, and are shown as an example embodiment of howelevated areas might relate to deep areas. Artificial reef 61 is formedin an inverted V peaked shape so as to create an A-frame wave capable ofseparately sustaining surfers on either side of the artificial reef 61.As water approaches in the form of a swell it rides up and somewhatoutward over the artificial reef 61 into a shallower area where itbecomes a surf-able wave. The deep side areas 41 and 42 prevent the wavefrom forming along the sides. However, edge shallows 51 and 52 receiveswells and convert them into curling waves that can be surfed as well.

FIG. 4 is a top view embodiment of another embodiment of a wave poolaccording to the present invention. In order of progression along lineX, a generated wave encounters first deep area 3A as described above,then artificial reef 65B, second deep area 3B, artificial reef 66B,basin 3C, and then beach area 7. Artificial reef 65B is separated fromartificial reef 65A by deep channel 71. Similarly, artificial reef 66Bis separated from artificial reef 66A by deep channel 72. In deep areas,the wave is in the form of a swell; in shallow areas, the wave builds toform a surf-able peak. Thus, surfers located at spots B and C would beseparated by a non-surf-able swell, as opposed to separation by the peakof an A-frame wave as described above. Lines Y1, Y2, and Y3 identifypaths along deeper channels in which less wave energy is expended asnon-surf-able swells move along water course 3. Edge shallows 51 and 52are unbroken over water course 3, so that this embodiment would supportsix surfers, as shown by spots A-F.

FIG. 5 is a top view embodiment of still another embodiment of a wavepool according to the present invention in which artificial reefs 65A,65B, 66A, and 66B are configured in peaked fashion to form multipleA-frame waves. As with the embodiment in FIG. 4, deep channels 71 and 72separate the artificial reefs 65A from 65B and 66A from 66Brespectively. This embodiment combines elements of FIGS. 2 and 4 toprovide a wave pool that is capable of handling twelve surfers, as shownby starting spots A-L. The description of how the waves are created issimilar to that already described above.

The underlying principle(s) of the embodiments of the present inventionmay be scaled to facilities of a variety of sizes and configurations.The above embodiments should be considered to be exemplary embodiments,and are in no way limiting of the present invention. Thus, while thedescription above refers to particular embodiments, it will beunderstood that many modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit thereof.

1. A wave pool for creating multiple surf-able waves when a wavegenerating device forces water into a first end of the wave pool, thewave pool comprising: a first deep area disposed on the end of the wavepool having the wave generating device for creating a swell uponactivation of the wave generating device; a first artificial reefcreating a first shallow area following the first deep area, theartificial reef causing the swell to become a first surf-able wave,wherein the artificial reef is comprised of a solid inclined projectionfrom the bottom of the wave pool that rises substantially the depth ofthe wave pool causing the swell from the first deep area to be forcedupward creating a surf-able wave over the first shallow area created bythe artificial reef; wherein the solid inclined projection forms apeaked inverted V shape that extends from the middle of the wave pooltoward each side terminating prior to reaching each side therebycreating deep side channels that extend substantially in the directionof the waves for substantially the length of the wave pool along eachside of the wave pool; a basin and swash area following the artificialreef for dissipating the remaining energy of the surf-able wave; andwherein a first set of surfers can surf the surf-able wave within thearea of the pool bounded by the deep side channels.
 2. The wave pool ofclaim 1, further comprising: a second deep area following the firstartificial reef for causing the first surf-able wave to revert to aswell; a second artificial reef creating a second shallow area followingthe second deep area, the second artificial reef causing the swell tobecome a second surf-able wave, wherein the second artificial reef iscomprised of a solid inclined projection from the bottom of the wavepool that rises substantially the depth of the wave pool causing theswell from the first deep area to be forced upward creating a surf-ablewave over the second shallow area created by the second artificial reef;and wherein a second set of surfers can surf the surf-able wave withinthe area of the pool bounded by the deep side channels.
 3. The wave poolof claim 1, further comprising edge shallows that extend substantiallythe length of the wave pool along each side that create a surf-ablecurling wave along each side of the wave pool.
 4. The wave pool of claim2 further comprising a first set of edge shallows that extendapproximately the first half the length of the wave pool along each sidethat create a first surf-able curling wave along each side of the wavepool followed by an area of no edge shallows that causes the curlingwave to revert to a swell followed by a second set of edge shallows thatextend approximately the second half the length of the wave pool alongeach side that create a first surf-able curling wave along each side ofthe wave pool wherein a first set of surfers can surf the first curlingwaves and a second set of surfers can surf the second curling waves. 5.A wave pool for creating multiple surf-able waves when a wave generatingdevice forces water into a first end of the wave pool, the wave poolcomprising: a first deep area disposed on the end of the wave poolhaving the wave generating device for creating a swell upon activationof the wave generating device; a first artificial reef creating a firstshallow area following the first deep area, the first artificial reefcausing the swell to become a first surf-able wave; a second deep areafollowing the first artificial reef for causing the first surf-able waveto revert to a swell; a second artificial reef creating a second shallowarea following the second deep area, the second artificial reef causingthe swell to become a second surf-able wave; and a basin and swash areafollowing the second artificial reef for dissipating the remainingenergy of the second surf-able wave, wherein a first set of surfers cansurf the first surf-able wave and a second set of surfers can surf thesecond surf-able wave.
 6. The wave pool of claim 5 wherein the first andsecond artificial reefs are comprised of: a solid inclined projectionfrom the bottom of the wave pool that rises substantially the depth ofthe wave pool causing the swell from the first deep area to be forcedupward creating a surf-able wave over the first shallow area created bythe first artificial reef and a surf-able wave over the second shallowarea created by the second artificial reef.
 7. The wave pool of claim 6wherein the solid inclined projection forms a peaked inverted V shapethat extends from the middle of the wave pool toward each sideterminating prior to reaching each side thereby creating deep sidechannels that extend substantially the length of the wave pool up to theswash area along each side.
 8. The wave pool of claim 7 furthercomprising edge shallows that extend substantially in the direction ofthe waves for substantially the length of the wave pool along each sidethat create a surf-able curling wave along each side of the wave pool.9. The wave pool of claim 7 further comprising a first set of edgeshallows that extend approximately the first half the length of the wavepool along each side that create a first surf-able curling wave alongeach side of the wave pool followed by an area of no edge shallows thatcauses the curling wave to revert to a swell followed by a second set ofedge shallows that extend approximately the second half the length ofthe wave pool along each side that create a first surf-able curling wavealong each side of the wave pool wherein a first set of surfers can surfthe first curling waves and a second set of surfers can surf the secondcurling waves.
 10. A wave pool for creating multiple surf-able waveswhen a wave generating device forces water into a first end of the wavepool, the wave pool comprising: a first deep area disposed on the end ofthe wave pool having the wave generating device for creating a swellupon activation of the wave generating device; substantially side byside first and second artificial reefs creating a first and secondshallow area following the first deep area, the first artificial reefcausing the swell to become a first surf-able wave and the secondartificial reef causing the swell to become a second surf-able wave; asecond deep area following the first and second artificial reefs forcausing the first and second surf-able waves to revert to swells;substantially side by side third and fourth artificial reefs creating athird and fourth shallow area following the second deep area, the thirdartificial reef causing the swell to become a third surf-able wave andthe fourth artificial reef causing the swell to become a fourthsurf-able wave; a basin and swash area following the third and fourthartificial reefs for dissipating the remaining energy of the third andfourth surf-able waves; and a deep center channel that extendssubstantially in the direction of the waves for substantially the lengthof the wave pool to the swash area in which no surf-able waves areformed that acts as a buffer zone that separates the first artificialreef from the second artificial reef and the third artificial reef fromthe fourth artificial reef thereby allowing separate wave segments to besurfed by a plurality of surfers.
 11. The wave pool of claim 10 whereinthe artificial reefs form inclined angular projections that risesubstantially the depth of the wave pool and extend from the middle ofthe wave pool toward each side terminating prior to reaching each sidethereby creating deep side channels that extend substantially the lengthof the wave pool up to the swash area along each side.
 12. The wave poolof claim 11 further comprising edge shallows that extend substantiallythe length of the wave pool along each side that create a surf-ablecurling wave along each side of the wave pool.
 13. The wave pool ofclaim 11 further comprising a first set of edge shallows that extendapproximately the first half the length of the wave pool along each sidethat create a first surf-able curling wave along each side of the wavepool followed by an area of no edge shallows that causes the curlingwave to revert to a swell followed by a second set of edge shallows thatextend approximately the second half the length of the wave pool alongeach side that create a first surf-able curling wave along each side ofthe wave pool wherein a first set of surfers can surf the first curlingwaves and a second set of surfers can surf the second curling waves. 14.The wave pool of claim 10 wherein the artificial reefs form solidinclined projection in a peaked inverted V shape that rise from thebottom of the wave pool substantially the depth of the wave pool causingthe swell from the first deep area to be forced upward creating a firstsurf-able wave over the first shallow area created by the firstartificial reef, a second surf-able wave over the second shallow areacreated by the second artificial reef, a third surf-able wave over thethird shallow area created by the third artificial reef, and a fourthsurf-able wave over the fourth shallow area created by the fourthartificial reef.
 15. The wave pool of claim 14 further comprising edgeshallows that extend substantially the length of the wave pool alongeach side that create a surf-able curling wave along each side of thewave pool.
 16. The wave pool of claim 14 further comprising a first setof edge shallows that extend approximately the first half the length ofthe wave pool along each side that create a first surf-able curling wavealong each side of the wave pool followed by an area of no edge shallowsthat causes the curling wave to revert to a swell followed by a secondset of edge shallows that extend approximately the second half thelength of the wave pool along each side that create a first surf-ablecurling wave along each side of the wave pool wherein a first set ofsurfers can surf the first curling waves and a second set of surfers cansurf the second curling waves.